NATAL, Brazil : DaMarcus Beasley is set to become the first American to play in four World Cups.
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann's lineup against Ghana on Monday night had Beasley starting at left back, a position the 32-year-old has filled for the national team during the last year.Beasley was a midfielder on the American teams in 2002, 2006 and 2010. While midfielder Claudio Reyna and goalkeeper Kasey Keller were on the U.S. roster for four World Cups, Reyna appeared in only three and Keller two.
Klinsmann also chose to start midfielder Alejandro Bedoya over Graham Zusi and Brad Davis on the left.
Ghana's World Cup veterans Michael Essien and Kevin- Prince Boateng were left out of coach Kwesi Appiah's starting lineup.
Asamoah Gyan was set to lead Ghana as it tries to beat the U.S. for the third consecutive World Cup. Gyan scored the winning goal that sent the Americans home from South Africa in 2010.
According to a lineup released by the Ghana Football Association, there were four changes from the starting 11 that beat South Korea 4-0 in an warm-up game last week in Florida. Adam Kwarasey replaced Fatawu Dauda in goal, and Daniel Opare, Christian Atsu and Jordan Ayew were in for Boateng, injured forward Majeed Waris and defender Harrison Afful.
Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard; Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron, Matt Besler, DaMarcus Beasley; Kyle Beckerman, Jermaine Jones, Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley; Clint Dempsey Jozy Altidore.
Ghana: Adam Kwarasey, Daniel Opare, Kwadwo Asamoah, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, Rabiu Mohammed, Christian Atsu, Sulley Muntari, Jordan Ayew, Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew.
